10 Ways to Improve your HVAC’s Efficiency this Summer

04 Jun 10 Ways to Improve your HVAC’s Efficiency this Summer

SERVING AREAS OF BRISTOL, JOHNSON CITY, AND KINGSPORT TN

The spring season is almost over already. It won’t be long, and the outdoor temperatures will be soaring into the 90s, although sweltering heat outside isn’t a big deal as long as your HVAC runs smooth and keeps you cool. HVAC systems do a lot of work, and if you aren’t careful, your unit could end up wasting money out of your wallet. While many homeowners adjust their thermostat’s temperature while they are gone to reduce energy usage, there are many other ways to save on your monthly utility bill. Today on the blog, our HVAC technicians in Kingsport at Thompson Electrical Service share 10 ways to improve your HVAC’s efficiency this summer so you can stay cool and save money.

Keep Filters Clean

Dirty filters impede airflow and circulate contaminated particles through your HVAC unit and back into the air inside your home. According to Energy.Gov, a dirty HVAC filter could increase your energy usage by as much as 15%, which means money out of your pocket! Dirty air filters also strain the HVAC unit, making it work harder and is more likely to lead to a breakdown. Many homeowners forget to change their air filters. Ideally, you should change or clean your filters monthly.

Clean the HVAC’s Coils

Dirty coils on your condenser make the unit work harder too. The coils should be cleaned by removing dirt or debris from around the condenser unit. Ensure that trees and shrubs remain at least two feet away from the condenser so that proper airflow can circulate around it. If you aren’t sure where the condenser coils are located or how to clean them without damaging the coils, contact a trusted HVAC company in Kingsport, like Thompson Electrical Service.

Clean the Condensate Drain Line

Your HVAC unit doesn’t just cool your home, but it removes humidity from the air as it circulates through the system. The accumulated moisture drains out through a condensate drain line. And just like regular pipes and plumbing in your home, the condensate drain line can become clogged. A clogged drain line could bread bacteria, mold, and mildew and end up causing water to back up and damage the HVAC unit or surrounding area, like inside your home or wherever the unit is located. Therefore, our Kingsport HVAC techs recommend cleaning the drain line at least twice a year.

Keep Clutter Away from Registers and Vents

Avoiding covering vents or registers as this could block airflow and strain the unit. Keep furniture, clutter, boxes, and everything else away from the vents. It would help if you also cleaned the vet covers regularly to ensure they aren’t blocked with dust or other particles. You can adjust the vents to restrict the air in a particular area of your house, but don’t close more than one or two vents as this could strain the HVAC unit.

Keep Window Coverings Closed

Windows are known to be one of the biggest contributors to energy usage. The hot sun shining into your home may feel nice and look inviting, but it’s driving up your energy costs. Instead of keeping shades and window coverings closed all of the time, close the ones that face the sun during the hottest part of the day, if possible.

Use Fans to Circulate Air

Indoor fans help reduce the temperature inside your home by circulating the air. Even on the hottest days, you could raise the thermostat’s temperature and turn on a fan in the room you’re going to be in, and you will still feel cool. Fans use less energy than your HVAC unit does to cool your entire room. Using fans is also ideal if you spend most of your time in the same room for the day.

Check for Loose Ductwork

Check your ducts for any loose ductwork that could be sending cool air into your attic or crawlspace. Ductwork can work its way loose for a variety of reasons, and you might not know it until you check.

Seal Air Leaks

Air leaks are common around doors, windows, and in attics, basements, and crawlspaces. Therefore, check these areas and the weather stripping to ensure there are no air leaks that are wasting your cool air and draining your wallet.

Have a Maintenance Check

Professional HVAC installers in Kingsport recommend having your HVAC unit serviced at least twice a year – once in the spring before it gets really hot outside and again in the fall before you need to switch over to using the heat setting. During the maintenance check, we will clean your drain line, condenser coils, inspect the ductwork, and ensure your HVAC runs smooth. These maintenance checks can help improve the energy efficiency of your unit.

Replace an Old Unit

If your HVAC unit is more than 10 years old, it might be time to replace it. Older units use more energy to operate and tend to worsen over time. New HVAC units are designed to use less energy, keeping your money in your pocket!

HVAC Installation in Kingsport, Bristol, and Johnson City

If you’re a Kingsport homeowner that needs to schedule HVAC maintenance or get a free quote on installing a new HVAC unit, contact Thompson Electrical Service by calling (423) 343-5726 today!